Redfearn drafted in by Newcastle United

FORMER Leeds United manager Neil Redfearn has been drafted in to help Ben Dawson with Newcastle United Under-23s.

Dawson has been in charge of the team since the start of the year, when Peter Beardsley stepped down following allegations of bullying, which are still ongoing. Redfearn was in charge of Leeds in 2014/15 and took charge of Rotherham for five months in 2015/16.

He subsequently led Doncaster Belles to the WSL 2 title last season, before resigning after just one game in charge of Liverpool Ladies last month.

Dawson got to know the Yorkshireman - who is a holder of the Uefa Pro Licence - during his time as a coach educator with the Football Association.

"We needed somebody to come in and I knew Neil from my time at the FA," Dawson told the Chronicle newspaper. "He was at Leeds United, so I needed somebody to come in and work and get on the grass and be a hand out there.

"He has a wealth of experience as a coach, player and manager, so it's been good having him on the pitch and off it. He has been a good sounding board and he's a lot of help to the lads.